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Regarding John Molina's work...
"It is one of the finest collections on women's basketball,"
said Michael Brooslin, museum curator at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield (Hartford Courant May
20, 2002).
NOMINATED FOR AN EMMY
Positively Connecticut™,
Fall 2002 has been nominated for outstanding informational program by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/
Boston/New England Chapter. The Fall episode of Positively Connecticut included segments on the world’s largest private
collection of women’s basketball memorabilia
Copyright 2008 John A. Molina. All rights reserved Warning!
All of the contents of this website,
inclusive of photographs, text, logo and illustrations are the sole exclusive property of John A. Molina and are protected
under the Copyright Laws of the United States Code. Any copying, reproduction, dissemination or distribution of the contents
herein by any means, in whole or in part, are strictly forbidden without the written authorization of John A. Molina.
The owner of the contents herein will pursue all legal remedies available for those not obtaining proper authorization.
In the event that a copy of any of the contents of this website is desired, or you wish to obtain a copy of any of
the photographs depicted herein, permission may be obtained by emailing the link below.
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| Co-authors Matt Zeysing and John Molina in Carway Arkansas |
**ANNOUNCING** A book is in the works on the women's basketball team, The All American Red Heads. It is being co-authored
by Historian of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Matt Zeysing and Preservationist, John Molina. This book will start back
in 1936 with the creation of the Red Heads and bring it up to the last season in 1986.
Contact the Author and honorary All American Red Head: John Molina
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Donations will be used to help fund various women's basketball
web sites as well as fund existing current and future preservation efforts (such as work on the book of the All American Red
Heads.
Donations of $50.00 and above, person will receive 2 original promotional 8x10 pictures of the All American
Red Head players (my choice) and an original All American Red Heads program from the 1970s.
Thank you for your
support and have a pleasant day  .
John
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When it comes to the History of Women's Basketball, The All
American Red Heads ARE The Great American Story
It began back in 1936. Cm (Ole)
Olson had a mens traveling (barnstorming) called the Terrible Swedes traversing the country since the 1920s.
Ole
was a terrific basketball player and one of the first men to use a behind the back pass on a regular basis. He was also
a top notch business man.
The Swedes were out of Cassville Mo. This also happened to be a hot bed for womens basketball
with many of the nations top AAU teams in the
surrounding states.
Ole recruited some of the best talent on
the court to comprise his own womens team, the All American Red Heads. Some of the players would work for Ole's
wife, Doyle, who owned a string of beauty salons in Mo and Ar. For those players not naturally red haired, they would
use henna to color it.
Only 16 year after women got the right to vote, the Red Heads left Cassville Mo to play
basketball.
One must think back to that time in American society to where women were socially. Few women
would go onto college (not many had basketball) women would work on the farm, maybe become a stenographer or work at
a local factory. To get paid to play basketball and travel the country at the same time? This was as far out there
as thinking an actor named Ronald Regan would become president more than 40 years later
When the Red Heads set
out on the road, they weren't just playing basketball. They were pioneers to break down all of these stereotypes....and
didn't even know it at the time. They were just women that had a great passion to play basketball.
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| Coach Wilbur Surface and the "first team" in 1936 |
They would only play against men and by
mens rules. During that time,
women were playing 6 on 6 with only 3 players being allowed to cross the
court.
There was still much concern at the time, that women shouldn't play the
game like a man because
they weren't as physical and could hurt their
chances to have children.
They were an instant success.
While many may have been initially
intrigued by women playing against men in a male dominated sport,those
in attendence
quickly witnessed that women could not only play the game
of basketball by mens rules, they could beat men at their
own game.
In the early years the All American Red Heads would play up to about 160
games on the road.
They would win about 50% of them.
In 1937, Ole would create a second team. They were called the Ozark
Hillbillies. They were a 'farm' team for the Red Heads. They would
also travel across the country,
with many of the players eventually
moving on to play for the main team.
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| movie stars autographs from a trip to Hollywood in 1930s |
While in Hollywood in the late 30s, they
would go on to meet some of the
top movie stars of the time, such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Tyrone
Power.
Across small town America, gyms would overflow with fans hoping to catch
a glimpse of some of the greatest players
in the world on the same
team. Attendances of over 1,000 was not uncommon.
The All American Red Heads
would appear in some of the countries
greatest magazines of the day. Life, Look, Colliers among others
published
the travels of these special women.
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| 1941-42 team just before invasion of Pearl Harbor |
In 1940, the team traveled to the Philippines
to play several games.
When the team was down there, the US military issued a invasion
warning. Sensing
an immediate threat, the team had to quickly escape by
cattle boats that were lead by a mine sweeper.
Due
to rationing of gas, tires, etc., the All American Red Heads came
off the road during WWII. Some of the players
would go work for
companies such as Boeing and would continue playing basketball at night
for them.
As servicemen and women came back home after the war to end all wars,
the Red Heads picked up where
they left off. Some of the same players
returned and new ones were added.
In 1948, Olson offered a coaching job
to an english teacher (and high
school coach), Owell Moore. Moore was married to Lorene "Butch" Moore. Butch
loved a Red Heads and when orwell was offered a job to Coach, he would only take it if Lorene was to join the team as well.
During that time, there were 2 teams. The All American Red Heads and
the Famous Red Heads. Coach
Moore started with the Famous Red Heads. 7 time all american, Hazel Walker was player/coach of the All American Red
Heads.
When Hazel left the Red Heads, Orwell would move over to the main team with his wife and other players like
Red Mason and Johnny Farley.
In 1955, Olson would sell the Red Heads to the Moore's and retire to a life on
a farm of fishing and one of his favorite pastimes, golf.
During these years, Lorene would go on to score 35, 246
points in 9+
seasons. At halftime, she would get on her knees and shoot foul shots, sometimes making 50 in a row.
It was during these halftimes that the Red Heads started putting on an extra show, while the mens team was catching their
breathe for the second half.
Fancy ball handling, trick shots and more were performed to the crowds
delight.
Owell Moore was years ahead of his time.
Not only did the Red Heads play against more physical men, Coach Moore
created special halftime shows to entertain the crowds. He realized the importance that he had to not only put a quality
product on the court, but also entertain the crowd.
As the legend of a Red Heads grew, so did their traveling.
In 1957 the
team would take its first trip of 5 to Alaska. Imagine the sight of
Native Eskimo children watching
a team of red haired women playing basketball against their local men, most who hunted by the day.
The 1950s also
brought the Red Heads to national television. What to
Carol Channing and Lorene "Butch" Moore have in
common? They both
appeared on Ed Sullivan on the same night.
The players during this time continued
to be some of the best the country had to offer and their impact after their playiing days in women's sports would continue.
Ball handling wizard, Jessie Banks would done a Red Heads uniform for 6 seasons before going to college and becoming deeply
involved in both the formation of the AIAW and WBCA.
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| Coach Orwell Moore after he purchased the Red Heads from Ole Olson |
Please go to Page 2 to read more of the All American Red
Heads story
Email: John Molina with questions
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